Obama, Zardari discuss economy, terrorism

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/160198.html


Zardari was invited to attend this memorial for Obama's special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke who died unexpectedly in December leaving a void in Obama's afghan strategy.

But there was no hiding months of disagreement between Obama and Pakistan over the course of Obama's war against militants and American frustration over Pakistan's continued refusal to join the fight. After us vice president Biden met top Pakistani leaders in Islamabad the other day telling them they must commit the Pakistani army to launch a major offensive against militants, Obama reportedly stepped up the pressure on Zardari…at the same time trying to repair the deep distrust and frustration between Washington and Islamabad.

The white house only allowed a few still photographers into the meeting, no questions or comments. Reportedly, Zardari told Obama that Pakistan already one of the largest recipients of us aid, needs even more American money if the rocky relationship is to improve. In a later meeting with secretary of state Clinton the Americans pushed for Pakistan to reform its economy and collect more taxes so it can help pay for its own security and payments Pakistan has not received from the US for helping it in its war in Afghanistan.

Moeed Yusuf is a Pakistani scholar who describes the meeting as a blunder that will further alienate Pakistan public opinion from the Americans…

Yusuf says the continuing civilian deaths in the Americans drone attacks and anti American sentiment are hurting Obama's chances of persuading Pakistanis civilian leadership to confront Pakistan's army chiefs about a more aggressive campaign in North Waziristan. The meeting with Zardari he says failed to satisfy the US administration…

The white house says the Obama-Zardari meeting was informal and short and that when Obama travels to Pakistan in the near future there will be a chance for more talk on military cooperation and counterterrorism - but say some analysts the meeting will be seen in Pakistan as more capitulation to the Americans…

According to white house sources, the Obama-Zardari while said to be cordial, meeting did not resolve the differences, the friction between the two countries.